The Best Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Make this rich, creamy, and fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting from scratch. It is perfect for topping cakes, cupcakes, and brownies, offering a classic American home-cooking flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: About 3 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 to 6 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Add the salt and vanilla extract. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes.
- Add the milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition until you reach your desired fluffy consistency. Start with 4 tablespoons and add more if needed for a softer texture.
- Beat on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the frosting is light and airy.
- Use immediately to frost cakes, cupcakes, or brownies.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- If the frosting seems too thick, add another tablespoon of milk. If it is too thin, add a few more tablespoons of powdered sugar.
- This recipe makes enough frosting to generously cover a two-layer 8-inch cake or about 18 cupcakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg